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Chefs aren’t the only culinary creatives doing pop-ups these days. Mixologists have begun hosting holiday cocktail pop-ups that marry their love of seasonal ingredients with the whole point of watering holes: to bring people together in cozy, merry settings.

Whether you’re sipping a vodka-laden Geltini at Reboot’s Hanukkah Pop-Up in San Francisco, or an aquavit-based Christmas Carol Barrel at Miracle, a holiday-only bar at San Jose’s Paper Plane, this is the season to get festive with ugly sweaters, fanciful drinking vessels and Santa-on-steroids decor.

Miracle started the trend in 2014, with its flagship pop-up in New York City. It has since grown to 80 locations around the world, including four in Northern California. Founder Greg Boehm says the pop-up was inspired by the cozy, retro Christmas festivities he grew up with.

“To me, there’s nothing more hygge than bringing good friends together and drinking mulled wine or other holiday cocktails,” Boehm says. “We’re all about slowing down and spending quality time getting to know each other. The idea is to transport you from whatever week you’re having to a winter wonderland.”

At the San Francisco-only Deck the Halls, which has new digs near Polk Street this year, it’s all about making sure everyone feels at home. “The point is to have something for everyone’s taste, whether it’s a Christmas or Hanukkah cocktail,” says producer and mixologist Shaher Misif, “and enjoy the spirit of it all, rather than the hustle and bustle of shopping for presents.”

Tanya Schevitz of Reboot agrees.

“Hanukkah is not only eight days of a festival of lights, but is also embedded in our culture as a time to share experiences and memories with family and loved ones,” she says. “It is the act of being together that really represents what the holiday is about.”

Grab your gelt and get ready to sip nog from a gingerbread-house vessel. Here are some spots to get spirited over the holidays:

Miracle

Miracle spread its cocktail cheer west to San Francisco last year for the first time, when it took over Union Square’s Pacific Cocktail Haven. Miracle pop-ups are hyper-decorated, from the tinsel-topped presents dangling from ceilings and Santa hat-backed chairs to custom-made holiday-themed glassware. Look for Miracle favorites, like the Snowball Old Fashioned, made with gingerbread bourbon, wormwood bitters and lemon zest, to newcomers such as the rum-aquavit-amaro Christmas Carol Barrel, and the And a Partridge in a Pear Tree, built on reposado tequila, pear brandy and spiced demerara syrup. Look for Miracle’s new Sippin Santa concept, complete with tiki-inspired cocktails — Kris Kringle Colada, anyone? — in Sacramento.

Reboot Hanukkah Pop-Up

This annual pop-up is more gift shop and family-friendly hang-out than bar, but you can definitely get your drink on while scoring a “‘Twas the Night Before Hanukkah” CD or a pair of Jew Jitsu socks for that special someone. This year, in the nonprofit’s new San Francisco digs, the curated one-stop-shop will include a small bar where 21-and-over guests can sip a Geltini ($8), made with vodka, coffee liqueur and chocolate milk, with a nosh — we vote challah or latke bites. Or you can walk around with your cocktail while taking in the riveting Great Hanukkah debate with author Ayelet Waldman, or a glow-in-the-dark Hanukkah dance party. Did we mention the LEGO menorah-building workshop for the kids?

Deck the Halls

The edible mini-gingerbread houses — made by Boys & Girls Clubs kids, awww — and cranberry negronis served in Christmas ornaments were the biggest draws at last year’s Deck the Halls. Misif may bring them back, along with other popular cocktails, including the flaming Pecan Flip, made with cachaça, pecan orgeat and sherry. Expect 12 to 15 cocktails in all, priced around $12 each. Look for a secret Dreidel Bar, in addition to tucked-away corners with entertainers — carolers, perhaps, or a pianist — that lend themselves to gatherings. Last year’s pop-up was decorated with an Instagram-worthy penguin and light installation. This year, you might find Krampus behind the bar.

Jessica Yadegaran is a writer and editor for the Bay Area News Group's Eat Drink Play section, which is devoted to all things food, wine, cocktails, and travel. She also spent two years in the Pacific Northwest as the food and dining editor for Seattle magazine. Yadegaran has a degree in journalism from San Diego State University and has been with the Bay Area News Group for more than 10 years.

Seven retailers are now open for in-store shopping and services at Santana Row, while six restaurants are now open for outdoor dining, according to Federal Realty, the principal owner of the mixed-use commercial complex.